Manhattan To Adopt New '332' Area Code
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- For decades, Manhattan was defined by the '212' area code. Then, came '646' and more recently, '917' for cell phone numbers.
Now, New York City is gearing up to welcome a new addition to their area code arsenal -- '332.'
According to the New York State Public Service Commission, the new area code is needed to cater to the growing residential and business populations in Manhattan. The new area code will also help accommodate new mobile and wireless users.
The new area code is expected to take effect in 2017. Telephone companies are expected to file plans to implement the area code by mid-January 2016.
But will '332' ever reflect a quintessential New York City the way '212' does?
John Manning, Senior Director of the North American Number Plan Administration, said that it's only a matter of time, WCBS 880's Alex Silverman reported. As new codes are adopted, the sense of attachment to the original 212 number loses some of its sentimental value -- but the city gains so much more, Manning said.
"I think what you may be losing from the perspective of a geographic significance, you're gaining from the sense that customers who get a telephone number are able to retain that number," Manning said.
According to the NYC Public Service Commission, the North American Numbering Plan Administration projected Manhattan would run out of available telephone numbers under the already existing area codes by the end of 2017.